Suggestions for a Gift

[CryoGuy5272]

I myself am not into traditional folders, but while my grandfather was helping me fix a problem with my truck he pulled out a very worn out and used Old Timer. So me getting into knives lately I wanna get him a nicer traditional as a gift. Looking in the $50-$75 range. I know nothing about them so any offers of what to look for and the like would also be greatly appreciated

 

[jc57]

One, two, three, or four blades? What size range? Stainless or carbon steel? Made in USA or does that not matter? New or vintage? What kind of sharpening equipment / skills does he have?

Also, how married to that price range are you? Could you go as high as $80 or $85?

 

[knarfeng]

If he has an older Old Timer, that would indicate carbon steel, I think.

Case offers Chrome Vanadium, "CV" blades on a number of their knives. Chrome Vanadium alloy is very similar to the 1095 that Schrade used. And a number of them are in your price range.

 

[CryoGuy5272]

If he has an older Old Timer, that would indicate carbon steel, I think.

Case offers Chrome Vanadium, "CV" blades on a number of their knives. Chrome Vanadium alloy is very similar to the 1095 that Schrade used. And a number of them are in your price range.

The knife he had was two blades. I don't think it was a carbon steel knife. I know nothing of if he has sharpening skills. What he has was very worn and very used. Didn't look as if he had cleaned it in awhile but it was sharp.

 

[knarfeng]

The knife he had was two blades. I don't think it was a carbon steel knife. I know nothing of if he has sharpening skills. What he has was very worn and very used. Didn't look as if he had cleaned it in awhile but it was sharp.

Old western aphorism, "Beware of the man with only one gun. He likely knows how to use it."

Same holds for knives. You don't have to own a whole passel of knives to know how to use one knife really well.

 

[BA_Colt]

I might get lambasted for this but a Swiss Army Knife is a good choice.

 

[Chris Larrikin]

I might get lambasted for this but a Swiss Army Knife is a good choice.

I think the right SAK is a good idea. If you go that way give some thought to tge tools he would find most useful.

I think you should give some thought to an Opinel. Your price range would get you a really nice walnut or olive one and would get it professionally sharpened too- well worth doing to bring out the best in the knife(unless your sharpening skills can do it).

 

[Old Hunter]

My 2¢ worth; buy him a Buck Knife or a Case Knife - those are brands he probably recognizes and associates with high quality. His long ago choice of a Schrade Old Timer suggests he is a practical man and your description of the knife implies he uses it as a trusted tool. Look for the 300 series of Buck's or one of the working series of pocketknives made by Case - well within your price range and good using knives. Case has two full series (stainless steel and CV) with smooth yellow handles and a series with jigged blue handles (and others). A Buck 301 or a Case 3347 (both Stockman pattern) is a good, all around knife. If your granddad is like my dad (79) he wouldn't use a knife with beautiful bone or stag handles - thinking it was "too good" to use! OH

PS as examples, here is a catalog page from an orange handled series Case offered last year and a picture of a Buck 301, a heavy duty Stockman pocketknife.

 

[screened porch]

Good ideas here.
I was thinking get a Case that looks like the old OT, but he might wonder what's wrong with you, getting him something you know he's got. (We're ignoring the possibility of a new Chinese OT of the same pattern as the old one.)
The SAK idea avoids that, and if you don't get one he thinks is too big to carry, he'll have a hard time not liking it.
Buck makes excellent no-nonsense working knives in traditional patterns.
Or, would he enjoy an unusably nice knife for Sunday-go-to-meeting wear?

 

[Railsplitter]

It sounds like he has had his knife for a long time. He might be rather attached to it. Do you have a brick & mortar store in your area with a decent selection of pocket knives? If so, my suggestion is to offer to take him there and let him pick out a knife himself. This would virtually eliminate the possibility of getting him something he doesn't really want.

Or maybe you could find another reason to get him into the store and then kind of nonchalantly walk over to the knife displays and tell him to pick one out. You know, like it's a spur of the moment thing.

Buying someone a replacement for something they have owned for a long time can be a very risky endeavor. I suggest finding a way to get him involved in the decision.

 

[pertinux]

I myself am not into traditional folders, but while my grandfather was helping me fix a problem with my truck he pulled out a very worn out and used Old Timer. So me getting into knives lately I wanna get him a nicer traditional as a gift.

His long ago choice of a Schrade Old Timer suggests he is a practical man and your description of the knife implies he uses it as a trusted tool.

...he might wonder what's wrong with you, getting him something you know he's got.

It sounds like he has had his knife for a long time. He might be rather attached to it....

Buying someone a replacement for something they have owned for a long time can be a very risky endeavor. I suggest finding a way to get him involved in the decision.

CryoGuy5272, it's great you want to give something to your grandfather, and you've received some helpful suggestions. I agree with the above sentiments; if it's possible that you want to give him a new knife more than he'll want a new knife, involve him in the decision or go with something complete different than what he currently has.

Have fun!

~ P.

 

[link2derek]

I'd also suggest something from Case (in that price range). Just try to find a pattern that looks similar to the one he has now - pay attention to overall size, handle shape, and specifically whether the 2 blades are both on the same end or on opposite ends of the knife. Whatever he has, I'm sure Case has something similar in all those respects.

 

[N.E.Tim]

I would get Your Grandfather a Stockman close in size to the knife he currently carries.

 

[glennbad]

I think the suggestions on size of the knife are good ones. Also, who knows, maybe he would enjoy a knife of the same pattern, as that is what he is used to carrying. You can still find Pre-2004 Schrade Old Timers on line.

Another thing to consider is the blade pull strength of the knife you buy. Some older folks have nail issues or arthritis, and may not be able to open a strong blade.

 

[Will Power]

Here's a suggestion: take a look at CASE knives and in particular this one the Small Texas Jack. It has much going for it, not too big or too small just over 3.5" closed, you get two useful different blades, Clip as the master, Modified Pen as the minor. Pull is moderate so no opening problems, their carbon cv steel is well appreciated and sharpens with ease. Bone scales give it the Traditional look but it's not too fussy/pretty pretty to get dirty and used. Nor is it heavy in the pocket and it's well within your price category and easy to find online or in a shop. Your grandfather will like it just because it's a present from you his grandson and not as a replacement for his current faithful.

Thanks, Will

 

[Double Ott]

Your Grandfather will accept your gift with a smile and be most happy to get it. But, I'll bet he'll continue using the knife he has for as long as it will give him service.
You'll find your gift knife tucked away in the box years from now. He will have put there for safe keeping until the one he has gives up being useful.

Just my thoughts...

Tom